"Where is your report card?" My mother’s voice, firm and expectant, sent a familiar chill through me. She asked the same question every semester, yet it never failed to make my heart race. In our household, grades were not just letters on a page—they were a measure of sacrifice, a reflection of everything my parents had given up for me. Academic excellence had been instilled in me since I was old enough to understand what it meant, and I quickly realized that my education was never just about me. It was about them—their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams for a better future. Every afternoon, my mother would pick me up from aftercare in her scrubs, exhaustion evident in her eyes. She never complained, but I could see the toll her long hours had taken on her. My father would come home later in the evening, a bandana wrapped around his head, dust clinging to his clothes after another grueling day. They had both come to the United States from different worlds—my mother from the Philippines and my father from the Czech Republic—yet they shared a common struggle. Neither of them had grown up with much money, and they knew firsthand what it meant to work tirelessly just to get by. They had uprooted their lives in search of better opportunities, and watching their struggles, I felt an immense responsibility to succeed. Not just for myself, but for them. In my family, not going to college was never an option. My parents made it clear that they wanted a different life for me, one where I wouldn’t have to endure the same hardships they did. "You can always find a good job with a degree," my mother would remind me, reinforcing the idea that higher education was the key to security. Acing my high school exams and maintaining a strong GPA weren’t just about personal achievement—they were investments in a future that would ensure our family’s sacrifices weren’t in vain. Yet, despite my determination, the financial burden of college loomed over me throughout high school. I thought of the long hours my parents worked each day, the endless bills that needed to be paid, and the daily expenses that stretched our budget thin. How could we possibly afford the overwhelming cost of tuition? Even attending an in-state public university meant spending more than our family’s entire savings in just one year. The thought of adding to my parent's financial stress filled me with guilt, an unshakable weight that only grew heavier as graduation approached. But no matter the challenges, I knew I had to go to college. Education was more than just a degree—it was a way to break the cycle of financial hardship, to open doors my parents never had the chance to walk through. It was a path to stability, not just for myself, but for my entire family. One of my biggest motivations for earning my degree is the hope that one day, I can relieve my parents of the burden they have carried for so long. They have given everything to ensure I have a better future, and they deserve to rest. I want to build a life where they no longer have to worry about making ends meet, where they can finally experience the security and comfort they have always worked so hard for. For me, going to college is not just a personal achievement—it is a promise. A promise to my parents that their sacrifices were not in vain, and that the future they dreamed of for me will become a reality.

A challenge I constantly faced throughout my freshman year of college was imposter syndrome. I chose to major in computer science because of my passion for coding, yet I was completely taken aback by how much of a minority I was in the field. In my lectures, the overwhelming majority of students—and even professors—were male. While there were some women in my classes, the ratio was starkly uneven. I already had doubts about my ability to succeed in computer science since I lacked a strong background in coding and its foundations. Being one of the few women in my classes only deepened my insecurities and made me question whether I truly belonged. As my freshman year progressed, I found myself constantly comparing myself to my peers and feeling like I was always “behind.” Some students grasped the material effortlessly, some had already secured internships, and others had resumes filled with impressive projects and experiences. I began questioning whether I was putting in enough effort. The negativity and self-doubt that clouded my mind slowly eroded my confidence and took a toll on my mental health. One day, after reaching a breaking point, I decided to reflect on my feelings. I asked myself, why do I compare myself to others? What makes me think that someone else is more capable than I am? I realized that my constant pursuit of perfection was fueling my imposter syndrome. Since childhood, I had always strived for academic excellence—something that my parents and friends expected of me. Entering college, I feared that I had taken on more than I could handle by choosing a major as notoriously difficult as computer science. However, I also realized that I didn’t want to become a statistic. Computer science remains a male-dominated field, with women earning less than 18% of bachelor's degrees in the discipline. This gender disparity only strengthened my determination to succeed. I learned that many women hesitate to pursue careers in tech due to feelings of incompetency, even when they are just as capable as their male counterparts. Seeing this reality firsthand motivated me to push through my self-doubt and work toward creating a more inclusive space for women in technology. This scholarship would help me give back to the community by allowing me to work toward a future of gender equality in tech. I want to encourage more women and girls to believe that they are fully capable of succeeding in computer science—as long as they put their minds to it. Women bring a unique and necessary perspective to the tech industry, driving innovation in ways that diverse teams uniquely can. My goal is to build initiatives that increase women’s representation in tech, such as early STEM education programs, mentorship opportunities, and outreach efforts that inspire young girls to explore computer science. Additionally, I am passionate about making hobbies and learning accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, age, or background. For example, I have a personal appreciation for philately, the collection and study of stamps, which has taught me about different cultures, art, and global history. I cherish my small stamp collection, knowing that each piece carries a rich history and has passed through many hands before reaching me. Just as philately connects people across time and geography, I believe that fostering diversity in tech will create a stronger, more inclusive future. By breaking down barriers and inspiring others to pursue their passions fearlessly, I hope to contribute to a world where everyone—regardless of gender—can thrive in the field of computer science.

When I was in high school, I worked a part-time job as a cashier and server at a local restaurant to save money for college. In the beginning, the job seemed perfect as it catered to my schedule as a student and was located close to my house. However, as I settled in, I started to notice troubling patterns in my manager's behavior. When I arrived for my evening shift and she was leaving from her day shift, she would make snide remarks about some of my co-workers. The indirect belittlement became frequent, yet she acted friendly toward them when they were around. Overtime, it became clear that she was not as sincere as she appeared to be. As her behavior escalated, my coworkers and I started to feel uneasy around her. She would change our schedules without warning, scold us for minor mistakes, and constantly criticize our work ethic -- despite her own questionable commitment to the job. We all agreed that something needed to be done, yet we hesitated, afraid of putting our jobs at risk. For a while, I became complacent to the mistreatment. But that changed when I witnessed something I couldn’t ignore. One evening, in front of customers and staff, my manager falsely accused a coworker of stealing from the cash drawer -- berating her in front of everyone. My coworker, overwhelmed and on the verge of tears, insisted she had done nothing wrong, but our manager refused to listen. The tension in the room was suffocating, yet no one spoke up. In that moment, I knew that silence was no longer an option. If I wanted the toxic work environment to end, I needed to take action and stand up to my manager, even if it meant risking my job. I knew my manager would simply deny any accusations of treating us poorly, so I decided to talk to my coworkers and we ended up building a well-documented case of how our manager lacked empathy, patience, and other essential traits that being a manager requires. I presented our concerns and instances of mistreatment to the restaurant owner, and initially, I didn't think much would change. He appeared to trust her completely, so how could he believe the horrible things we described? There was no immediate response, and I began worrying about the security of my job. Although I felt like that was the right decision to make, was it truly worth it? The answer was yes! The owner ended up conducting an investigation against our manager and eventually took action. While our manager's behavior didn't change overnight, the owner held her accountable and her behavior began to improve. She started to treat us in a kinder, fairer way and even apologized for her previous actions. More than anything, this experience taught me that no one should have to endure mistreatment just because the person in power seems untouchable. Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about accountability and empowering those around you. I hope the next generation understands that even when a problem feels too big to face alone, taking action can lead to change in ways you’d never expect.

Growing up in a low-income household, I learned it’s important to never take things for granted in life. Starting at a young age, I watched my parents work hard day and night – subconsciously teaching me the extreme value of resilience, diligence, and ambition. They showed me how it was those who had drive and passion to make do out of what little they had – those were the people to look up to. These ideas became a foundation for what guided me throughout my life: whether it be school, my first job, or my relationships with those around me. Whenever I faced hardships, I always found myself thinking of my parents, and how they sacrificed so much to make sure our family was fed and happy. They showed me how temporary losses and pain can yield rewards and that I would always be strong enough to overcome any struggles I faced. I want to make a positive impact on the world by using my life experience to show others that success doesn’t come overnight – it’s a continuous journey that looks different for everyone. Everyone in life is dealt a different hand of cards, and while some may receive a hand that is more forgiving than another’s, you are always capable of making something worthwhile in the end. Currently, I am a woman pursuing a STEM degree, and I work every day to overcome the struggles women around the world face as a minority in this male-dominated field. I seek to raise awareness around my school and community to drive women to pursue STEM careers despite societal setbacks by getting involved in STEM clubs geared towards women, while also promoting local inclusivity initiatives.

In today's society, Filipino women face a plethora of hardships that hinder our progress, innovation, and well-being. Filipino women can often find themselves grappling against racial and gender discrimination, as well as pervasive financial hardships. This causes a negative impact on our community and can manifest in all aspects of our lives -- health, employment, socializing, and much more. Navigating the complexities of supporting a family, one's self and a career can have a deep impact on an individual's personal and professional growth. As a Filipino woman pursuing a degree in Computer Science, I naturally felt out of place when stepping foot into my classes. I was surrounded primarily by men, rarely coming across another female student, and once in a blue moon would I meet another Filipino woman in my same position. It didn't seem like a big deal at first until I began to notice it manifesting in various aspects of my academic career. I would feel afraid to speak in class discussions, the possibility that my perspective would be "too different." I sometimes felt like a walking stereotype, wondering if this was truly the right major to be in. These constant feelings of being an outsider mentally exhausted me, which then caused me trouble in my studies and a decline in my well-being. However, this was just my experience. Now, imagine the experience of other Filipino women in the world who are less fortunate than I. Those who cannot afford to attend college. Those who experience colorism and face harsh remarks based on their appearance alone. Those who are qualified for a job or role, but are overlooked merely due to their gender. Those who want to pursue a career, but are left with the duties of caring for their children and family. Filipino women are held to standards that can sometimes be impossible to reach, resulting in women with dreams that are left untouched. Despite the challenges I experience, I continue to persevere for the women who cannot. The many Filipino women around the world who are unable to pursue their dream education or career deserve their chance, and I will not let mine go to waste. I believe it is vital for Filipino women to overcome these barriers. Accessible resources that not only encourage a successful career but also help eliminate financial hardships as well as racial and gender discrimination, are necessary for these changes to occur. If empowered enough, I would seek to create programs targeted toward Filipino women that can alleviate such burdens. For example, improving mental health by creating support groups or providing affordable/free healthcare; Creating job workshops or STEM initiatives that can encourage Filipino women to pursue their desired careers; Providing scholarships and grants to diminish the cost of obtaining a higher education; Initiating a mentorship program that allows us to seek guidance that can help navigate through life, school, and jobs. Despite the significant challenges Filipino women face, a brighter future is possible with the implementation of the proper resources. By providing beneficial programs and tools, a more inclusive and supportive environment can be cultivated which caters to the success of Filipino women. Their full potential can be reached while they overcome these barriers, and their dreams will not go untouched.